Sale 1062 — The Golden Oak Collection of Superb United States
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 17-18 December, 2013
Category — 1861-66 Issue (Scott 56-69)
3c Brown Rose, First Design (56). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade and impression on bright paper, fresh and Extremely Fine, with 2002 P.S.E. certificate
10c Dark Green, First Design (62B). Deep rich color and proof-like impression, neat strikes of red circular datestamp, well-balanced margins.EXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 10-CENT FIRST DESIGN, SCOTT 62B.
With 1981 P.F. certificate
1c Blue (63). Four singles and three pairs, range of shades from bright to dark, range of cancels including red circular datestamp, oversize target, circle of wedges, "Paid" oval, circle of V's, few trivial imperfections but selected by the owner for quality of cancels and overall eye appeal, a Very Fine group
1c Blue (63). Vertical strip of three, rich color, gorgeous centering, neat strike of New York double-circle datestamp and geometric, Extremely Fine, ex Koppersmith, with 1989 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as pair and single
1c Deep Ultramarine (63a var). Intense shade, bold circle of wedges cancel, three wide margins, reperfed at right, still Very Fine example of this scarce sub-shade, with 2007 P.F. certificate
1c Blue, Laid Paper (63c). Clear vertical laid lines, deep rich color, unobtrusive cancel, wide marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE USED EXAMPLE OF THE ONE-CENT 1861 ISSUE ON VERTICALLY LAID PAPER. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE ISSUE.
Don Evans notes in his 1c book (p. 37) that this is known to have been printed on both horizontally and vertically laid paper. He notes that examples are somewhat difficult to identify by casual observation. He also notes that horizontally laid paper seems to be scarcer than vertically laid (he was aware of only two horizontal), but our experience and an examination of the records of the Philatelic Foundation indicate that both are equally scarce. They are also usually seen with faults.
With 1988 P.F. certificate.
3c Pink (64). Vivid color in the true Pink shade, bold strike of red grid cancel of New York City, nicely centered, Very Fine and choice, a stamp with tremendous visual appeal, with 1991 P.F. certificate
3c Pink (64). Vivid color in the true Pink shade, neat strike of New York double-circle datestamp, reperfed at right (not noted as such on certificates), appears Very Fine, with 1976 A.P.S. and 1989 P.F. certificates
3c Pigeon Blood Pink (64a). Radiant color in the true Pigeon Blood Pink shade, neat strikes of grid and circular datestamp cancels, well-balanced margins.VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL AND FRESH EXAMPLE OF THE PIGEON BLOOD PINK, WHICH IS THE RAREST OF THE 3-CENT 1861 SHADES.
Ex Lyons. With 1997 P.F. certificate
3c Rose Pink (64b). Brilliant color, face-free circular datestamp, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). Mint N.H., intense shade and impression, attractive centering, slightly oxidized, otherwise Very Fine and choice, with 1989 and 1997 P.F. certificates, Scott Retail as hinged
3c Rose (65). Choice centering, cancelled by perfect strike of Fox Running to the Right fancy cancel of Hockanum Conn., stamp with small faultsEXTREMELY FINE STRIKE OF THE FAMOUS AND DISTINCTIVE HOCKANUM FOX FANCY CANCEL. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST STRIKES WE HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED.
A history of the fascinating Hockanum Running Fox cancel, written by Connecticut postal historian William J. Duffney, can be downloaded as a PDF file at http://web.me.com/ctpostroad1/CtPP/Postal_Markings_files/Dudley%27s%20Fox%20Story%20Dec%202010%20LR.pdf The
With 2011 P.F. certificate.
3c Rose (65). Bright shade, cancelled by perfect strike of Eagle and Olive Branch fancy cancel of Woonsocket Falls R.I., stamp centered to lower right and perfs blunted at left, Extremely Fine strike of this scarce and desirable fancy cancel
3c Rose (65). Bright shade, cancelled by well-struck Star Within Star Within Pentagon fancy cancel of Putnam Conn., centered to upper left, Extremely Fine strike of this desirable fancy cancel
3c Rose (65). Well-struck "Union" in Star fancy cancel of Westhampton Mass., Extremely Fine strike of this desirable fancy cancel
3c Rose (65). Perfectly centered, bold strike of green segmented cork cancel, Extremely Fine, ex Dr. Morris, with 1994 P.F. certificate
3c Rose (65). 48 used stamps, selected by the collector for their unusual cancels and overall visual appeal, wonderful range of cancels including Heart, "US" in circle, "10" in circle, Shield, several fancy Geometrics, several different types of Star, several other interesting, some faults to underlying stamps to be expected, overall a fresh and Very Fine group
3c Lake (66). Original gum, lightly hinged, intense shade on bright paper, Very Fine and choice, with 1991 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Intense color, well-centered, bold strike of blue Baltimore circular datestampEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BUFF SHADE.
Ex Rose. With 1998 P.F. certificate
5c Buff (67). Intense shade, bold strike of San Francisco cogwheel cancel, Very Fine and choice, with 1979 P.F. certificate as 67a
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Deep rich color nicely complemented by red New York datestamp, well-balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT BROWN YELLOW SHADE WITH A BEAUTIFUL RED CANCELLATION.
Ex Hansen. With 2002 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates as Buff (XF 90; SMQ $3,000.00)
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright shade nicely complemented by red circular datestamp, well-balanced margins, Very Fine and choice, with 1985 and 1992 P.F. certificates
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Intense shade and impression, perfect strike of large Boston "Paid" grid cancel, Very Fine and choice, a stamp with wonderful visual appeal, with 1981 and 2008 P.F. certificates
5c Brown Yellow (67a). Bright shade, neat strike of "Paid" in oval handstamp, reperfed at left (not mentioned on accompanying certificate), Very Fine appearance, with 1981 P.F. certificate as Buff shade, Scott 67
5c Olive Yellow (67b). Radiant color in the true Olive Yellow shade, nicely complemented by blue grid cancel, well-balanced marginsVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1861 5-CENT IN THE DISTINCTIVE OLIVE YELLOW SHADE. THIS IS THE SCARCEST SHADE OF THE 5-CENT 1861 ISSUE, AND IT IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND IN SUCH CHOICE CONDITION.
We have offered approximately a dozen unduplicated examples of the Olive Yellow shade in any condition since keeping computerized records. Of these two were unused. It is difficult to find in sound and centered condition.
With 1988 P.F. certificate
10c Yellow Green (68). Deep shade on fresh paper with wide margins at top and bottom and even margins at sides, perfectly struck red quartered cork cancel, Extremely Fine Gem, a superb stamp, with 1999 P.F. certificate
10c Green, "TAG" Double Transfer (68 var). Wide margins and outstanding centering, beautiful rich color, light strike of New York "Paid" circular datestamp, Extremely Fine Gem, ex Kirke, with 2010 P.F. and 2008 P.S.E. certificates (XF-Superb 95; SMQ $900.00 as normal)
12c Black (69). Gorgeous centering with Jumbo margins, detailed impression, cancelled by central strike of San Francisco cogwheelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB JUMBO USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 JUMBO BY P.S.E. -- THIS IS THE HIGHEST GRADE AWARDED.
Although the 12c 1861 plate provided ample space between the subjects, the 12-gauge perforation holes use up much of that space, and the lines of perforations were rarely applied in a way that created four balanced margins around the design. This stamp is a one-in-a-million example of perforating outside the normal boundary line on all four sides.
With 1989 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98 Jumbo; unpriced in SMQ above the grade of 98, SMQ $2,750.00 as 98). This is the highest grade awarded and only two others share it; the others were offered in our recent Merlin and Kirke sales
12c Black (69). Intense shade and proof-like impression, well-struck San Francisco cogwheel cancel, unusually wide and balanced marginsEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE 12-CENT 1861 ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN GRADED SUPERB 98 BY P.S.E. -- A GORGEOUS STAMP.
With 1983 P.F. and 2007 P.S.E. certificates (Superb 98; SMQ $2,750.00). Only three have graded higher.
12c Black (69). Choice margins and beautifully centered, light magenta grid cancel, Extremely Fine, a beautiful stamp, with 2008 P.S.E. certificate (XF 90; SMQ $375.00 as ordinary cancel)